Cowboy Thanksgivings: More Beans, Less Bird

In the Wild West, there were no football games, no refrigerators, and certainly no fancy gravy boats. Instead, Thanksgiving for a cowboy often meant Dutch ovens in the dirt, beans by the fire, and gratitude that you and your horse made it through another year.

Gratitude, Cowboy-Style

Cowboys weren’t known for long speeches, but they understood gratitude. Things they might be thankful for:

A horse that stayed sure-footed.

Their saddle and bedroll.

Dry socks and boots that hadn’t worn through.

A cook who didn’t burn the biscuits.

Another sunrise on the trail.

Did Cowboys Even Celebrate 

Thanksgiving during 

the Wild West Era?

Thanksgiving didn’t become an official national holiday until 1863, when President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a day of thanks in the middle of the Civil War.

For most cowboys, it was just another day of dust, sore muscles, hard tack and beans. But on a ranch or in town, they might have a hearty dinner.

Frontier Feasts

Turkeys weren’t always around depending on the region. Venison, rabbit, or prairie chicken were easily hunted. On cattle ranches, beef sometimes stole the show.

Beans, sourdough cornbread, and potatoes were common.

Frontier families relied on root veggies like turnips and carrots, or dried beans and peas from the summer’s harvest.

If flour and sugar were on hand, Dutch oven pies made with dried apples or pumpkins were a treat. One cowboy trick was soaking dried fruit in whiskey before baking—both dessert and drink in one slice.

And don’t forget the cowboy coffee. Strong enough to “float a horseshoe.”

Kicking up their heels

Barns, churches, and saloons doubled as dining halls. After eating, musicians might grab their fiddles or harmonicas, people square danced, and many a man told tall tales.

What are you thankful for? 

Feel free to add your comments.

I am thankful I don’t live in the Wild West days. Cooking over a campfire every night? Hard pass. Grocery shopping is plenty of cardio.

I am thankful for my friends, family, and readers.

I am thankful for my health and a cozy place to hang my hat.

I wish everyone a blessed day.

Hugs,

Niki J. Mitchell

 

My Thanksgiving Blessings by Jan Scarbrough

Needing to come up with this month’s blog, I looked through my files and found a blog from ten years ago. My life has changed so much, but I remain thankful for the same things.

 

2014: It’s popular to give thanks this time of year. I’m thankful for the basics—God, country, and my health. I’m especially happy for family—a husband who’s put up with me for almost fifteen married years. I give thanks for two wonderful children and two wonderful stepchildren, who have given us a total of NINE grandchildren, all boys except for one beautiful princess.

 

2024: My health has gone through its ups and downs over the years. I’ve survived two cancer treatments and am in remission. I’ve been hospitalized for other ailments and am now doing fine. Sadly, my husband of twenty-four years died in June. But I give thanks for Bill, his life, and his love. He’s with God now. And as for grandchildren: TEN, all boys except for one beautiful princess who is a freshman in college.

 

Ten years ago, I gave thanks for my pets, now two dogs and two cats, all rescues. Have you ever had a coonhound tree a raccoon in your back yard? I’m also thankful I can still ride beautiful American Saddlebred horses. My main ride is a mare named Maggie. I take a lesson on her once a week.

 

Being able to write romance novels makes me thankful. Plus, I’m grateful for all my writing buddies! They keep me grounded and connected. And as I said in 2014, I’m thankful for my readers—those who spend money on my books and/or review my books and sign up for my newsletter (www.janscarbrough.com).